Releasable mount for an electronic device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to the dashboard of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mount securable to the electronic device and a cradle fixed to the vehicle for receipt of the mount. The mount includes a plate for attachment to the electronic device and at least one flexible locking arm extending from said plate. The outwardly biased arm engages the cradle when the mount is secured to the cradle. The arm is deflected inwardly to allow the electronic device to be quickly and easily removed from the dashboard of the vehicle in a single motion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/397,567,filed Sep. 16, 1999, and entitled “Releasable Mount For An ElectronicDevice”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mounting apparatus for an electronicdevice. More particularly, the present invention is directed to anapparatus for releasably mounting an electronic device in a dashboard,such as the dashboard of an aircraft, marine craft, or land vehicle.

Electronic devices are conventionally used in a variety of vehicles. Forexample, global positioning satellite (GPS) devices are currently usedfor navigational purposes in automobiles, aircraft, boats and othervehicles. Another example of a commonly used electronic device is asonar depth sounder. Sonar depth sounders allow a user of a marine craftto profile the bottom of the marine body on which the craft is locatedand identify the depth and position of wildlife such as fish. In someinstances, GPS components may be integrated with the sonar depth sounderdevice. A number of other commonly used devices include communicationsdevices, such as two-way radios or telephones and entertainment devices,such as televisions and radios.

Oftentimes, it is desirable to remove these electronic devices from thevehicles to which the devices are mounted. For instance, some electronicGPS devices allow the user to exchange information between the deviceand a personal computer. Digital information such as maps may beuploaded from the personal computer to the electronic device.Additionally, information recorded by the electronic device may betransferred, or downloaded, to the personal computer. Generally, it isless burdensome to remove the electronic device from the vehicle than tomove the computer into proximity with the device when it is mounted onthe vehicle.

A number of the other advantages are achieved by having the capabilityto remove the electronic device from the vehicle. First, the device maybe removed to prevent theft of the device. Theft is of particularconcern with unguarded boats docked in public marinas. Further, in somecases, a single electronic device may be used with a number of differentvehicles by transferring the device from vehicle to vehicle. Also, someelectronic devices are hand held and may be advantageously used aspersonal devices upon removal from the boat.

Mounting of these electronic devices in a manner that accommodatesremoval and transport of the device presents a number of problems.Traditionally, these devices are purchased separately from the vehicleor vessel in which they will be used. The electronic device is oftenmounted to the dashboard or other surface of the vehicle by utilizing anumber of relatively inaccessible components that make removal of thedevice relatively burdensome. In other instances, an electronic deviceis mounted on a lift bracket (or pedestal) located externally from thedashboard or desired mounting surface. Mounting on these brackets allowsthe device to be manipulated along at least one axis. However, thedevices are not as firmly secured to the vehicle as the “in dash”mounts. Further, the positioning of the device outside of flushalignment with a surface of the vehicle leaves the device exposed todamage by outside sources. Also, when mounted on a lift bracket orpedestal, the electronic device is placed at a distance from the powersources in the dashboard area of the vehicle and may require the use ofa battery.

Therefore, a mounting device is needed that can be used to mount aportable electronic device to a surface of a vehicle so that the devicecan be quickly and easily released from the surface. Further, areleasable mounting device is needed that allows the device to be firmlymounted to the surface. Finally, a mounting apparatus is needed thatallows the user to releasably mount the device so that the outer surfaceof the device is generally flush with the surface to which the device ismounted.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus formounting an electronic device so that it is easily and quicklyremovable.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mounting apparatusthat securely holds the device in flush communication with the dashboardof the vehicle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mountingapparatus that allows the electronic device to be removed by deflectingat least one flexible locking arm from its locked position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a removablemounting device that allows the electronic device to be used in avariety of different vehicles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting apparatus thatallows the electronic device to be removed from the vehicle andconnected to a personal computer for transferring information.

This and other objects are achieved by a mounting apparatus including amount securable to the electronic device and a cradle fixed to thevehicle for receipt of the mount. The mount includes a plate forattachment to the electronic device and at least one flexible lockingarm extending outwardly from the plate. To secure the device to thesurface, the arm is placed within a corresponding slot on the sidewallof the cradle. As the mount is slid into the cradle, the locking arm isdeflected inwardly until a notch in the distal end of the arm receives aportion of the sidewall, preferably a flange positioned at the terminalend of the sidewall. In this position, the mount is firmly secured tothe surface by the outwardly biased arm. To remove the device, the armis deflected inwardly until the notch is cleared from the portion of thesidewall to which the arm was secured. The device may be easily removedby pulling the mount from the cradle.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the invention noted above are explained inmore detail with reference to the drawings, in which like referencenumerals denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front exploded perspective view of the releasable mountingapparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the releasable mounting apparatuswith the mount holding the electronic device detached from the cradle;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an electronic device mounted inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial side cross sectional view of the present inventiontaken along line 4—4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electronic device interfacing with aprocessor when the device is removed from the dashboard of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting apparatus embodying theprincipals of this invention is broadly designated in the drawings byreference numeral 10. Apparatus 10 is used to secure an electronicdevice 12 on a surface, such as a vehicle dashboard. The electronicdevice 12 can be, for example, a global positioning satellite (GPS)device, a sonar depth finder, a communication device, a stereo, anycombination thereof, and/or another conventional electronics device.Apparatus 10 includes a mount 14 and a cradle 16. As described below,cradle 16 is permanently coupled with the desired surface. Mount 14 iscoupled with the electronic device 12 and is constructed to bereleasably held within cradle 16.

Mount 14 has a plate 18. A pair of locking (or latching) arms 20 areextended outwardly from opposing sides of the plate. The plate and armsof the mount are preferably formed as one piece from molding athermoplastic material. The plate 18 is generally rectangular and isrounded at the corners. A centrally located window 22 is positionedwithin the plate and allows a power cord, antenna or similar structureto extend through the mount 14. Preferably, a plurality of screwreceiving apertures 24 are located at various points near the peripheryof the plate. In the preferred embodiment, apertures 24 are located neareach corner of the plate. However, the apertures may be located in anylocation that facilitates a firm connection between the mount 14 and theelectronic device 12. As best shown in FIG. 4, a number of screws 26 areplaced through the corresponding screw receiving apertures 24 and aresecured within holes 28 formed within the rear wall 30 of the electronicdevice. Alternatively, plate 18 may be secured to the electronic deviceby any other suitable means such as by other frictional means and/oradhesives. Moreover, the mount 14 may be integrally formed on theelectronic device 10. In this embodiment, the plate 18 could serve asthe rear wall of the electronic device and the locking arms would eitherbe integrally formed with the plate or frictionally attached thereto.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the locking arms 20 originate atopposing sides of plate 18 and bend at a slightly obtuse angle withrespect to the plate. The bent portion of each arm is preferably curvedto facilitate flexibility of the arm. The locking arms 20 extend along aportion of a side wall 32 of the electronic device 12 and a small spaceis defined between the arms and the device. Each locking arm 20 has adownwardly tapered stem 34 and a head 36. A notched portion 38 islocated between the top of the stem 34 and the base of the head 36. Thenotch 40 is located on the outer face 42 of the locking arm 20 atnotched portion 38. The notch 40 is defined by a lower lip 44, a sidewall 46 and an upper lip 48 and opens in the direction oppositeelectronic device 12. It should be understood that the notch may takenon any desired configuration (e.g., aperture, indent, etc.).

In the preferred embodiment, the head 36 of the locking arms 20 isshaped to define an inwardly concave gripping surface 52. Alternatively,the head 36 may be formed in the shape of a solid block or any otherstructure allowing the user to grasp the locking arm 20. The stem 34 ispreferably made from a flexible plastic material that causes the arm tobe biased to the undeflected angular position when pressure is appliedat the outer face 42 of the locking arm 20, particularly, when a userdepresses the locking arm at the head portion 36 by pushing at thegripping surface 52.

The cradle of mounting apparatus 10 has a base plate 54 having a numberof upwardly extending side walls 56. Each side wall 56 terminates in aflange 58 that is preferably coplanar with the base plate 54. The baseplate 54 and side walls 56 define an area that is sized to receive theelectronic device 12 and mount 14. The side walls 56 extend at generallyright angles with respect to the base plate. A pair of slots 66 areformed on opposing side walls 56. The rectangular slots 66 extend to theheight of the side wall and a small distance into a portion of theflange 58. Each slot 66 is slightly wider than the width of the lockingarms 20 of mount 14.

A window 60, similar to window 22 of mount 14, is located centrallywithin base plate 54, and serves the same purpose as window 22. Aplurality of screw receiving apertures 62 are located about theperiphery of the base plate 54. Strips 64 of shock absorbent materialare positioned on the inner surface of base plate 54. Preferably, thestrips are made from polyurethane or a material displaying similar shockabsorbent characteristics. Each strip 64 has a uniform thickness thatprovides a barrier between the inner surface of base plate 54 and theouter surface of plate 18 when the electronic device 12 is mounted asfully described below.

Cradle 16 is placed within a window 70 formed within the surface 68 sothat the inner surface of flange 58 rests upon the surface. The cradle16 is permanently fastened to a surface 68 of the vehicle at a pair ofbrackets 70 located on the interior of the surface. Typically, thesebrackets are part of the vehicle located inside the vehicle's dashboard.A plurality of screws (not shown) are placed through the screw receivingaperture 62 of cradle 16 and are received within holes 74 placed at theappropriate locations in the brackets 72. It will be appreciated thatcradle 16 may be secured to or in surface 68 in a variety of othermanners.

In use, mount 14 is secured to the electronic device 12 by a pluralityof screws placed within screw receiving apertures 24 and received byholes 28 formed within the electronic device. The electronic device 12and mount 14 are then placed within cradle 16. Cable connections (suchas power and antenna connections) extend from the rear of device 12through windows 22 and 60 to appropriate connections. As the mount 14 isslid within the side walls 56 of cradle 16, the locking arms 20 deflectinwardly as the tapered stems 34 slidingly contact the flange 58. Inresponse to this inward deflection, the locking arms 22 are biasedoutwardly to the undeflected shape. When the notches 40 formed withinthe locking arms become aligned with the slot 66 formed in flange 58,the arms deflect outwardly and lock the mount within the cradle. In thelocked position, the notches 40 receive a portion of flange 58 toprevent the electronic device from sliding into or out of connectionwith the cradle. In this position, the plate 18 of the mount 14 is infirm connection with the strips 64 placed on the bottom of base plate54. Thus, the frictional fit between the locking arms 20 and the cradle16 securely hold the electronic device 12 within the surface 68 of thevehicle. The positioning of the arms and the relatively small spacerequired for the cradle and mount allow the device to be secured inflush alignment with the surface of the vehicle.

It should also be understood that the present invention may beconstructed such that flexible arms 20 have one or more protrusions,rather than notches, thereon. Such protrusions would mate withcorresponding recesses in the sidewalls 56 of cradle 16. In particular,the invention may be varied to permit the mount 14, and particularlyarms 20, to releasably secure within cradle 16 in other manners.Additionally, while cradle 16 is preferably formed separately from thesurface (e.g. dashboard) 68, cradle 16 could be integrally formedtherewith, and in fact could be reduced to mere locking members at theperiphery of the opening (e.g. window 70) in the surface 68.

To selectively remove the electronic device 12, the locking arms 20 aredeflected inwardly by applying pressure at the gripping portion 52 ofthe heads 36 of the locking arms. When the arms are deflected so thatlower lip 44 of the notch 40 is cleared from the slot 66 formed withinflange 58, the electronic device 12 and mount 14 may be pulled from thecradle 16, and any electronic cable connections may be released (e.g.unplugged). The device may be quickly and easily mounted and removed ina single motion as opposed to the prior art devices.

As demonstrated in FIG. 5, once removed, the electronic device may beinterfaced with a personal computer. Additionally, the mount may be useduniversally to releasably secure one electronic device in a plurality ofdifferent vehicles or a plurality of different types of devices in onevehicle.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all ends and objects herein above set forth togetherwith the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent tothe structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting apparatus operable to releasablysecure an electronic device adjacent to a receptacle, said apparatuscomprising: a latching member positioned on a rear face of saidelectronic device, said latching member having at least one flexiblelatching arm; a receiving member operable to be secured to thereceptacle and operable to retain said electronic device by releasablysecuring with said flexible latching arm; and wherein said flexiblelatching arm extends beyond said receiving member once releasablysecured with said receiving member.
 2. The mounting apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said receiving member includes a pair of opposingsidewalls, said sidewalls defining at least one elongated slot forreceipt of said flexible latching arm.